Obama nominates Charlotte Mayor to head Department of Transportation

Calling him "one of the most effective mayors" in his city's history, President Barack Obama formally nominated Charlotte Mayor Anthony Foxx, D, as his next secretary of transportation.

President Barack Obama introduces Charlotte Mayor Anthony Foxx as his nominee to replace Ray LaHood as U.S. secretary of transportation.

Obama named Foxx, a 41-year-old first-term mayor, as his successor to outgoing Secretary Ray LaHood, a former Republican congressman who joined the administration in 2009. Foxx joins Attorney General Eric Holder as one of two African-American members of the president's second-term status.

Obama cited Foxx's experience in spearheading various transportation projects — including a streetcar initiative and airport expansion — as a chief reason for nominating the Charlotte mayor. (Foxx was mayor during the Democratic National Convention last August in downtown Charlotte.)

"All of that has not only create new jobs, it's helped Charlotte become more attractive to business," the president said in introducing Foxx.

For his part, Foxx pledged to work with lawmakers in both parties during his confirmation process, and said there's "no such thing as a Democratic or Republican" transportation project.

Obama also paid tribute to LaHood in Monday's short ceremony, calling him maybe "the best secretary of transportation the nation's ever had."

And LaHood returned the favor, saying to the president: "If you're not the best person I've ever worked for, you're at the top of the list."